The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-09-21
THE CHICAGO ANARCHISTS.

uhuBcu E'ONCAubCA IL 1901
The crime for which the Anarchists were
condemned was one for which the death
penalty was righteously enacted. It was
murder most foul. 1t was assassination of
the most cowardly character. 1t Is not
worth while to occupy either time or space
IN discussing 1t. Nor do we propose to re-
view, however briefly, the testimony which
led to the condemnation of the prisoners.
1t is to be assumed that the Supreme
Judges OF Illinois know the. law, that they
are conscientious men, and that in sustain
ing the action of the court that condemned
the Anarchists to death they have been
governed by an honest purpose to do their
duty.
1t is said, and very justly we think, that
the case, in all Of its bearings, is the most
important that was ever submitted to the
courts of the United States. 1t is not a
Chicago case; nor an Illinois case. 1t isna-
tlonal. It is new departure in criminal jur-
isprudence. 1t is not only arevelation, but is
a revolution in law. There never was such
a case before in the country. 1t is not
only attracting cursory attention, but it is
demanding and receiving investigation by
the best legal minds in the land.
Judge Gary, in sentencing the con-
demned men to death, said: ut is no.
where asserted or claimed that these pris-
oners threw the bomb, but their doctrines,
ideas, opinions and teachings prepared the
way, and led to the throwing of the
bomb" The Supreme Court of Illinois
says: st is undisputed that the bomb
was thrown, and that it caused the death
of began. 1t is conceded that no one of
the defendants threw the bomb with his
own hands" Who it was that threw the
bornb is unknown-that he was directed to
throw the bomb by any one of the con-
demned is unknown-was never proven,
but it was proven that one OF the con-
demned In haranguing the populace, did
say: ''You have nothing more to do with
the law, except to lay hands on 1t, and
throttle it until it makes its last kick.
Keep your eye upon 1t, throttle it, kill it,
stab It, do everything you can to wound
it," and it was held that this violent Ian
gusge produced great commotion, ..soon
after which, though one of the Anarchists
said 1--WE are peaceabIe," the bomb was
thrown, with death-dealing effect. A con-
spiracy was charged, and to the satisfac-
ton of court and jury, proven, and under
the Illinois statute, condemnation would
appear to be inevitable.
eo-;o1e Fao4ura 90 ba oaea =
in the language of Judge Gary-the spirit
of which permestes the opinion of
the Supreme Court that the An
archists are to be hung not for throwing
the bomb, but for "their doctrines ideas,
opinions and teachiugs," which may be
construed under statute as preparing the
way for committing murder.
In this connection it is well to ponder
well the statute of Illinois:
Section Am accessory is he who
stands by and aids, abets or assists, or
who, not being present aiding, abetting or
assisting has advised, encouraged, aided or
abetted the preparation of the crime, He
who thus aids, abets, assists, advises or en-
couIages shall be considered as principal
and punished accordingly"
Is there any limit to such terms as lad
vised" and encouraged when a wrong
has been perpetrated? Is there not dan
gerous vagueness in the application to
cause and effect? To man of ordinary
comprehension, does it not appear that
language righteously denunciatory of law
or the administration of law-may be
readily tortured to be encouraging crime,
and II crime is committed, the language
may be under the statute as fagitious as
the crime itself, and the punishment as
severe2
In the discussion of such subjects, there
should be neitter clamor nor passion. The
SENTINEL takes DO stock in Anarchism nor
Anarchists. The crazy fools are totally
disqualified to comprehend A nerican in
situations, our boosted liberty, manhood,
suffrage, freedom OF speech and freedom OF
the press-reared in countries where the
few rule the many and where the masses
are regarded as flood for powder"-and
have about as much to do with government
as dumb driven cattle. We say anarchists
educated under such governments are
quite incapable OF comprehending Ameri-
can institutions and are powerless by
their harangues and publications
to move hairs breadth the
great body of the people
from their loyalty to the American
Government. Their pestilent influence is
purely local. 1t can never become nation.
al. and is dangerous only to the extent Of
the limlIed area of its influence. Chicago
is not America, nor would it be il 1t in.
cluded every large city in the land. Paris
may be France; Berlin, Germany; Vienna,
Austria; London, England, and st. Peters
burg, Russia. Things are different in
America. But IL the Anarchists by theil
rawlings or their felonies succeed in chang
ing the laws of the country. II there is any
] department by virtue of which free speech
is restrained or free press hampered, theI
may Ii be said that Anarchists have moved
the nation from its ancient moorings, and
by q crime, however enormous, local in III
character, have been able to introduce int
the United States laws similar to thosI
upon which despots rely for security.
The statement Is made that the attorney
OF the Anarchists propose to take the cas-
to the Supreme Court of the United States